Wednesday, September 26, 2007

This one's for you Blondie . . . I know these aren't unusual orchids, you see phalaenopses (moth orchids) everywhere and I've put up a few pictures of my orchids in bloom but that pink one I've had for five years now and it's only bloomed one other time. For five years I've been coaxing that thing into bloom and now, it's finally happened. I repotted it this spring and it shot up a new leaf and a flower spike almost immediately. A good thing too, I had decided to chuck it if it didn't bloom this summer. Life's too short to go waiting five years for a blossom--but that pink was worth the wait.

I would love to hear more about gardening through an Alaskan winter. As a Californian myself, I find anyone surviving such a winter positively curious. Glad orchids and a winter bazaar might get you through. What else does?

I just threw out the first orchid plant I ever recieved. The first year, it had about 3 blooms. The second year, there was 8!! I was so proud! But, it was downhill after that. So, 4 years later, it's doing it's job in our compost pile. Such sadness.I think I'll go out and buy another one. :)

I know you're into "making things" so don't forget to let the flowers dry naturally and then store in a cardboard box (not a tin or plastic container because they sweat moisture back into the flowers). You lose most of the colour but they make stunning decorations on cards etc. Do not press!Just to make you jealous my pink one had over 200 flowers this year but Mr E assures me that it won't flower next year because it needs to rest. I've not yet got into digital photography.Note to joyismygoal -- orchids don't smell of anything. For the most glorious flower smell you need roses. Specifically one called Sutter's Gold (I have one on my desk as I write this).